Ahead of what is expected to be a significant and elevated fire season, Victoria has strengthened its bushfire preparedness by deploying firefighting aircraft ahead of schedule to key parts of the state.
A total of 15 regional aircraft have been deployed early to locations including Ballarat, Stawell and the Ovens Valley. The aircraft can be moved across the state in response to changing fire risks.
The early deployment follows an additional $80 million investment in fire season preparedness, which has also supported the CFA to increase water storage across the state and improved community refuges and fire danger signs.
Victoria’s aerial firefighting fleet includes a mix of firebombing aircraft, air supervision and information-gathering aircraft that play an important role in supporting firefighters on the ground. The state also maintains a “call-when-needed” capacity of up to 100 aircraft that can supplement the core fleet when required.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said that while emergency services were ready, community preparedness was just as important. “Emergency services will do everything they can to support you, but preparedness is a shared responsibility,” he said. “Ensure you have downloaded the VicEmergency app, and practice using it, so you understand what to do and how to get information.”
The remainder of Victoria’s aerial firefighting fleet will arrive over the next month and into early December, with aircraft contracted until late March. These arrangements can be extended if required.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, said the deployment would help strengthen local readiness. “Our local brigades and emergency services volunteers do an incredible job preparing for and responding to fires each summer,” she said. “These resources will help keep our communities safe and supported when it matters most.”
Victoria faces heightened fire risk this year due to low rainfall across much of the state, particularly in south-west Victoria, south-west Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula and the Wimmera.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for the season by developing a fire plan, staying informed and downloading the VicEmergency app. Visit emergency.vic.gov.au.
This article is based on a media release from the office of Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas.
